Wire-stretcher.



J. W. POINDEXTER.

WIRE STRETCHBR.

APPLIOATION FILED 111111128, 1912.

1,056,120. Pnted Mar. 18, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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J. W. POINDEXTER.

1 WIRE STRETCHER.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 2s. 1912.

1,056,120, Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

JAMES W. POINDEXTER, OFSWITZER, KENTUCKY.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18,1913.

Application filed June 28, 1912. Serial No. 706,466.

`others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in wire stretchers.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a stretcher which is particularly adapted for use in stretching woven wire fences, and is of such construction as to stretch either the top or bottom so that the l hereto appended fence may be uniformly stretched over uneven ground.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stretcher of the character described which is extremely simple in construction, is easy of operation, and is cheap to manufacture.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims it being understood that "arious changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction with-- in the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. un.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is` a side elevation showing the application of a stretcher constructed in accordance with my invention, Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof,` Fig. 3 isa sectional view taken on the line 3-.3 of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the double pawl carrying pin.

Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings. y

Referring to the drawings, the invention comprises an axle 5 havingrreduced threaded ends 6-6 and shoulders 7-7 formed intermediate the axle and saidreduced ends. The reduced end 6 is rotatably mounted in 'and the latter an actuating ratchetthe outer ends of upper and lower bars 8 8, the inner ends of said bars having detachable connection with a post 9 by means of chains 10-10. Y

Loosely mounted on the axle 5 is a pair of spaced drums 11-11, each drum carrying an outer ratchet 12 and au inner ratchet 13, the former constituting a locking ratchet The ratchets 12 and 13 of one drum are appositely disposed with respect to the ratchets of the other drum for a purpose hereinafter explained. A bolt 14 .extends inwardly from each bar 8, and fulcrumed upon each bolt is a locking pawl 15, each pawl engaging with a respective ratchet 12.

An operating lever 16 is formed from an angular metallic bar 17 and a handle 18. The bar 17 is formed at its outer end with an yopening for receiving the axle 5. Between the axle 5 and the handle, there is formed an angular opening, and mounted within this opening is a transverse pin 20. This pin is formed with an angular central portion 21 which corresponds to and closely fits within said angular opening so as to prevent rotation of said pin. The outer ends 22-22 of the pin, however, are rounded, and each end is formed with an inwardly extending longitudinal slot 23 across which extends a Cotter pin 24 or other suit-able locking element. Actuating pawlsv 25-25 are respectively fulcrumed upon the ends 22 of the pin for engagement with the respective actuating ratchets 13.

In order to yieldingly hold the pawls 25 in engagement with the ratchets 13, there is provided for each pawl a spring 26, one end of each spring being disposed within the inner end of a respective slot- 23 of the pin 22 and the free end thereof bearing upon the respective pawl.

The fence fabric is designated as a whole by the reference numeral 27, and this fabric is securely clamped by a clamp-"28 of any suitable construction. A pair of pull wires 25)-29 are each xedly connected at one end to a respective drum 11 and at its other end to one end of the clamp'28. In order to hold the wire 29 in parallel relation so as to cause the same to properly wind upon the drums 11, there is provided a guide 30 which is formed from a pair of elon ated links 31--31 and an .intermediate lin 32,

the wires extending through the vouter links 110 CII 31. l hold-bach Wire 33 is connected at one end to the linl; 32 and at its other end centrally ot the clamp 28.

llfhen it is desired to retain either of the actuating paivls 25 out of engagement with its respective ratchet 13, a latch lever Bel is centrally tulcrumed upon the bar 17 ot the lever 1G at a point intermediate the rear end ot the pavfl and the handle 18. By swinging the latch 3l the rear end of the paul 25 will be engaged and consequently depressed against the tension ot' its spring as is shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5 ot' the drawings. llhis movement ot the latch Bet is limited by means of a stop Q5 which projects t'rom the rear end of the pavvl. l/Vhen the pawl 25 is in its released position, t-he latch 3a will be disposed at right angles thereto and as a result, the latch Will be frictionally held by the paivl agamstl relative movement.

ln operation, when it is desired to stretch a tence, the operating lever 16 is reciprocated, the respective movements alternately Winding the pull Wires 29 upon vthe respective drums 11. lt will thus be observed that no time is lostin manipulating the lever. lll] hen itis desired to stretch the top or bottoni et a tence, and thereby secure a uniform tautness to the fabric due to uneven ground, either ot the actuating pawls 25 may be held out ot engagement with its respective ratchet 13 in a manner above noted.

llhatis claimed is:

1. ln a Wire stretcher, the combination With a pair ot arms, oit an axle having its ends journaled in said arms, a pair ot spaced drums loosely mounted on the axle, a lever loosely mounted on th axle intermediate the drums, means carried by the lever for alternately rotating said drums, and locking means respectivelyY carried by the arms and engageable with the drums t'or alternately locking said drums against reverse rotation.

2. lin a wire stretcher, the combination with a pair ot arms, ot an axle journaleol in said arms, a pair of spaced drums loosely mounted on the axle, a locking ratchet projecting outwardly -from each drum7 spring pressed pavvls carried by the arms tor reinse,

spective engagement with the locking ratchets, actuating ratchets projecting inwardly trom the drums, a lever loosely mounted on the axle intermediate said actuating ratclr ets, and means carried by the lever for engagement Wit-h the actuating ratchets to alternately rotate said drums.

3. ln a Wire stretcher, the combination. with a pair ot arms, of an axle journaled in said arms, a pair oit spaced drums loosely mounted on the axle, a locking ratchet pro jecting outwardly trom each drum, spring pressed pavvls carried by the arms for respective engagement With the locking ratcli ets, actuating ratchets projecting inwardly from the drums, a lever loosely mounted on the axle intermediatesaid actuating.ratch-- ets, said lever being formed with a transverse angular opening, a pin .having an angular central portion disposed Within the opening ot the lever, the ends of the pin being rounded and projecting from opposite sides of the lever, pavvls respectively mountl ed on the projecting ends ot the pin tor engagement with the actuating ratchets, and springs each having one end tixedly connected to thefpin and having their tree ends bearing upon the paWls.

4t. ltn a Wire stretcher, the combination with a pair ot oppositely rotatable drums,

ot means for alternately rotating saiddrums, a tence clamp, .and pull Wireseach connected at one end to one end of the clamp and the other end to a respective drum.

5. lln a Wire stretcher, the combination u'itli a. pair ot' oppositely rotatable drums, ot means tor alternatehv rotating said drums, a tence clamp, pull wires each connected at one end to one end ot the clamp and the other end to a respective drum, and aguide element for said pull Wires connected to the clamp to hold the Winding end ot said Wires in parallel relation.

ln testimony Whcreoit, l ati/ix my signature, in presence ot' two witnesses.

JAMES TW. PUltNDEXTER. lWitnesses TE. R. dones, M. lB. Lucas. 

